2io The Botanical Gazette. > [J ul y> 



tainly be expected, and an unusually full gathering of American 

 botanists. Hundreds of industrial and other societies are arranging 

 for memorable occasions, and if some of this enthusiasm could be 

 turned in the direction of pure science the result could not fail to be 

 beneficial. 



Another matter not quite as distant may be suggested here. In 

 connection with the papers upon physiological subjects at the Wash- 

 ington gathering, why not exhibit a collection of physiological appara- 

 tus? If each laboratory would send a few pieces the display would 

 be made very interesting. 



CURRENT LITERATURE. 



Practical Botany 1 . 



The first edition of the Strasburger's Kleine Botanische Practicum 

 published in 1886 has been one of the most useful of the handbooks 

 of recent years. It had its defects, some of which were pointed out in 

 this journal (vol. xii. 91) but they were not such as to seriously impair 

 its usefulness. In this revised edition the author has much improved 

 the book. Considerable additional matter has been inserted, notably 

 in chapters xi, xxii, xxiii, xxvii, xxviii and xxx, and chapters ix and 

 xxi have been almost entirely rewritten. Altogether 52 pages have 

 been added and there are about 20 new figures. It is extremely diffi- 

 cult to make such extensive changes fit in with the old stereotyped 

 plates. This has been done however with a minimum of injury to the 

 appearance of the book, only a few pages being unduly leaded. One 

 could have wished however that so many of the page numbers had not 

 been carried to the inner edge of the page, and that when change was 

 being made these might have been transferred where necessary so as to 

 stand in their proper place. 



The figures of the present edition are much better printed than in 

 the first. They now compare favorably with those of the German 

 edition. In every way the book is well manufactured. The suitable 

 paper and loose binding are especially commendable in such a labora- 

 tory guide. We hope that it may by reason of these betterments meet 

 with a still wider sale in this country. 



1 Strasburger. Edward,— Handbook of practical botany, for the botanical 

 laboratory and private student. Edited from the German' by W. Hillhouse; 

 revised by the author, and with many additional notes by author and editor 

 Second edition, revised and enlarged. 80 pp. xxiv. 435 (+ 52) figs. 149. New 

 York: Macmillan & Co. [London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co ] 1889. 



